How will the next generation of New Zealand farmers get into farm ownership?

In this episode of the From The Soil Up Podcast, Conan sits down with Seb Chapman from Seedling Investment to explore the changing landscape of farm ownership and the challenges facing young farmers wanting to build a future in agriculture.

Seb shares his journey through dairy farming and explains why traditional pathways into farm ownership are becoming increasingly difficult. They explore alternative approaches including share farming, small land blocks, investment models and the potential role of KiwiSaver.

The conversation also dives into farm succession, land values, family agreements and the structural challenges facing New Zealand agriculture, as well as how sustainability and soil health can contribute to long-term farm value.

Seb shares the thinking behind Seedling Investment, its vision for the future and why creating more accessible pathways into farm ownership could be critical for the future of New Zealand farming.

In this episode:

If you're a young farmer, part of a farming family thinking about succession, or interested in the future of New Zealand agriculture and land ownership, this is a conversation worth listening to.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-chapman-fruitminder/

https://seedling-investments.com/

What if one of the greatest opportunities to build more resilient farms is simply to embrace more diversity?

In this episode of the Force of Nature Podcast, Conan sits down with Karen Fisher to explore how diversity in nature, farming and people can create more resilient and adaptable farm systems.

Karen shares her perspective on system-led resilience, regenerative agriculture and why we need to look beyond the symptoms of problems and understand their root causes. We explore what weeds can tell us about soil and ecological health, how economic and ecological diversity can strengthen farm businesses, and why observation is such an important skill for farmers.

The conversation also takes a fascinating turn into neurodiversity in agriculture. Karen discusses how different ways of thinking, personality types and individual strengths can contribute to innovation and better decision-making on farms.

We also unpack the influence of environmental policies and subsidies, the importance of farmer-to-farmer learning, how to approach regenerative farming progressively, and how farmers can balance ecological health with profitability.

Towards the end of the conversation, Karen shares some simple ideas around slowing down, connecting with nature and regulating the nervous system that can support both farmer wellbeing and better observation of the landscape.

If you're interested in regenerative agriculture, soil health, farm profitability, resilience, agroecology, neurodiversity or systems thinking, this episode offers plenty to think about.

In this episode we discuss:

Connect with Karen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fisher-43a51718/

https://www.instagram.com/harvesting.potential/

Chef Ben Bayly on building a New Zealand food identity, storytelling, provenance, and why our farmers and producers deserve better recognition.

What does it actually take to put New Zealand on the map as a world-class food destination?

In this episode, we sit down with chef and food advocate Ben Bayly of Ahi Restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Star, to unpack why storytelling, not just quality, is the missing ingredient in how we market our food.

Ben shares his journey from young chef to Michelin-starred restaurateur, and why he believes New Zealand's culinary identity has been undersold internationally. We dig into the parallels with the wine industry's rise to global prestige, why lamb and dairy are often invisible on the world stage despite exceptional quality, and how direct relationships between chefs, farmers, and producers can change that story.

We also get into some topics you might not expect from a food conversation: wild game and pest species as an underused, biodynamic food resource, the regulatory hurdles stopping farmers from diversifying their income, and what it really takes to build a resilient, values-driven hospitality team.

In this episode:

Whether you're a farmer, chef, food producer, or just someone who cares about where your dinner comes from, this conversation offers a compelling case for why New Zealand's food story deserves to be told, and told well.

Connect with Ben:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/benbaylynz/?hl=en⁠

Ahi Restaurant: ⁠https://ahirestaurant.co.nz/⁠

Your health and the health of the land beneath your feet are inseparable. In this episode, Conan sits down with Stacey Curcio of Cultivating Wellness to explore the deep connection between soil health, regenerative agriculture, and human wellness and why it's time to break down the silos between agriculture and nutrition.

Stacey shares how farming practices directly shape nutrient density and biodiversity in our food, why the soil microbiome matters as much for human health as it does for crop health, and how food culture and intergenerational cooking knowledge have been quietly lost and can be reclaimed.

You'll learn why context matters more than rigid nutrition rules, how to build foundational habits for wellbeing, and why nature itself is one of the most powerful (and underused) tools for health.

In this episode:

https://www.cultivatingwellness.com.au/about

Are wearables worth the investment on your farm? David March breaks down the real ROI of wearable technology in agriculture covering infrastructure needs, animal health monitoring, virtual fencing, and how to know if the data is actually worth paying for.

In this episode, David shares insights from his Kellogg research project on wearable tech adoption in dairy farming, including practical guidance for farmers weighing up cost vs. benefit before they invest.

🎧 What you'll learn:

Key quotes: "Investment in animal health is fundamental." "Value depends on farm-specific information." "Cost reduction in wearables is inevitable."

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Wearable Technology in Farming 01:41 Identifying Problems Before Investing in Technology 04:22 Infrastructure Investment vs. Wearable Technology 06:55 Understanding the Role of Wearables 09:35 The Importance of Data in Farming 12:25 Behavioral Monitoring and Virtual Fencing 14:44 Evaluating the Financial Impact of Wearables 17:21 Choosing the Right Wearable Technology 20:06 Labor Efficiency and Practical Constraints 26:46 Navigating Labor Challenges in Farming 28:48 The Impact of Technology on Staff Efficiency 30:00 Balancing Financial and Non-Financial Benefits 31:15 Understanding Mating and Technology's Role 34:39 Evaluating Wearables in Mating Results 36:59 Improving Mating Results Through Strategic Changes 40:29 Identifying Problems and Solutions in Farming 41:47 The Law of Diminishing Returns in Farming Investments 43:32 The Future of Wearable Technology in Agriculture 49:16 Personal Development and Leadership in Farming.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-march-08b16038/

https://ruralleaders.co.nz/report/collars-costs-and-returns-assessing-the-value-of-cow-wearables-in-nz-pasture-systems/

What happens when farmers ignore pain, injuries, and their own well-being for years on end?

In this episode, Conan sits down with farming physio and sheep and beef farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan to discuss farmer health, physical resilience, injury prevention, strength training, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Drawing on her experience working with farmers and living the farming lifestyle herself, Storm explains why so many farmers push through pain, the long-term consequences of untreated injuries, and how simple habits can dramatically improve performance, energy, and longevity.

From osteoarthritis and inflammation to burnout and muscle loss, this conversation highlights why looking after your body is one of the best investments you can make for your farm, family, and future.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why farmers often ignore pain and the hidden costs of doing so ✅ How injuries and inflammation impact long-term health and performance ✅ The importance of strength training for farmers of all ages ✅ Why muscle mass is critical for healthy aging and longevity ✅ Practical nutrition strategies, including the role of protein in recovery and resilience ✅ How to recognize the signs of burnout and protect your mental health ✅ Why your body should be treated as essential farm infrastructure

Key Takeaways:

Connect with Storm:

https://www.instagram.com/stormlbr_thatfarmingphysio_/

https://thatfarmingphysio.com/

How can adaptive grazing management improve farm profitability, soil health, and pasture performance?

In this episode , I sit down with New Zealand dairy farmers Brooke Lye and Russ Heald to explore the principles and practical application of adaptive grazing management.

We dive into how grazing decisions influence soil health, pasture performance, animal wellbeing, and ultimately farm profitability. Brooke and Russ share their journey of implementing adaptive and regenerative farming practices, including the role of pasture diversity, deferred grazing, regrassing strategies, and understanding plant recovery and rest periods.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss how healthy soils drive productive farming systems, why fibre is critical for dairy cow health and milk production, and how farmers can use simple indicators within their pastures to make better grazing decisions. We also explore the importance of adaptability, resilience, and long-term thinking when managing modern farming businesses.

Whether you're a dairy farmer, livestock producer, farm consultant, or simply interested in regenerative agriculture, this episode is packed with practical insights that can help you improve both ecological and financial outcomes on your farm.

In this episode, we cover:

• Adaptive grazing management principles

• Soil health and biological function

• Deferred grazing and pasture recovery

• Maintaining pasture diversity

• Regrassing and crop management strategies

• Animal nutrition and the importance of fibre

• Measuring success in adaptive farming systems

• Profitability versus production thinking

• Building resilient farm systems for the future

https://www.instagram.com/healdfarm/

https://www.instagram.com/brookelye66/

In this episode, Conan interviews Graham Pile from Fertigation Systems to explore the benefits, myths, and practicalities of fertigation in New Zealand agriculture. They discuss how fertigation can improve nutrient management, reduce costs, and increase crop yields across dairy, cropping, and pastoral systems.

https://fertigation.co.nz/

In this episode, Conan sits down with Teal Simmons, founder of Agrisol, to unpack one of regenerative agriculture's most overlooked truths: you can't build a thriving farm system if the economics don't stack up. As Teal puts it "You can't be green if you're in the red."

Teal brings a grounded, systems-based lens to the regenerative transition, walking through his Roots Framework and the practical steps farmers can take to move toward healthier soils without blowing up their bottom line.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're knee-deep in a transition or just starting to ask the hard questions, this episode gives you a framework to think about regenerative farming as a whole-farm economic strategy not just a set of practices.

https://agresol.com.au/

What's the real cost of modern farming and who's paying for it?

Phyllis Tichinin of True Health Limited joins the podcast to connect the dots between declining soil health and the chronic disease epidemic facing humans and livestock alike. From the collapse of soil microbiology under synthetic fertilizers, to the hidden nutritional power of grass-fed animal fats, Phyllis offers a compelling case for why regenerative agriculture isn't just good for the land, it's essential for human health.

They explore nutrient density, the consequences of routine antibiotic use, and practical on-farm strategies for rebuilding soil biology and producing food that truly nourishes.

If you've ever wondered why farming practices matter beyond the farm gate, this episode is for you.

http://www.truehealth.co.nz/